ISLAMABAD: International oil prices surged sharply in real-time trading on Thursday, with Brent crude rising above $125 per barrel as markets reacted to escalating supply disruption risks linked to the Strait of Hormuz.
Brent crude climbed to around $125.3 per barrel in the latest session, marking a gain of more than 6% from the previous close and hitting its highest level since 2022.
US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) advanced to near $109–110 per barrel, reflecting strong upward momentum across global benchmarks, according to Reuters.
The latest surge reflects an acceleration in price action, with markets shifting from steady gains to sharp real-time repricing as geopolitical tensions intensify and the likelihood of prolonged disruption increases.
Market sentiment remains dominated by uncertainty over flows through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global crude shipments.
Continued restrictions and elevated security risks have significantly curtailed tanker movement, tightening global supply.
The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies have announced modest output increases.
However, these measures have had limited impact on current pricing as export logistics, rather than production capacity, remain the key constraint.
In the Gulf, regional crude benchmarks have strengthened in tandem with global prices.
Saudi Arab Light remains firm amid tight spot availability, UAE’s Murban crude is supported by relatively more secure loading routes, and Iraqi Basra grades have also edged higher.
However, sentiment remains sensitive to shipping risks and rising insurance costs.
Overall, the oil market has entered a high-intensity risk-pricing phase, with prices reacting rapidly to supply disruptions and logistical constraints, reinforcing a strong upward bias across crude benchmarks.
